Marriage Announcement

Well friends, the time has come... thetwocentcrockpot has grown up and gotten married.

"Who did the crockpot marry?" you may be asking...

Well, thetwocentcrocpot found a lovely little female blog to marry called Racooney Where Are You. The two of them are now happily residing at The Daily Burns (www.thedailyburns.com). So, come check out the couple at the new happy home.

"So, what will become of the crockpot?" you ask...

Well, he is a happily married blog, so I doubt you'll see him around these parts anymore. However, he really wants to continue to hang out with you... so, go visit him at The Daily Burns.

Thanks for a great 2 years. Mad thanks to those who even have us bookmarked. We'll see you on the new blog...

coffee...

First, starbucks... I don't like starbucks. They over roast their beans and the coffee isn't that great. Now, that is not to say that, in a pinch, I wouldn't go to starbucks... but I'd rather not. Well, while my objection is mostly taste related, some of my Christian brothers and sisters have found another reason to avoid the chain. I find it interesting that, if you read the article, you'll see that see that while Starbucks did run an "anti-god" cup, they also ran a "pro-god" cup by Rick Warren. Which, by the way, was quite a sermon to pack onto a starbucks cup.

Second, WORLD CUP IS CLOSED!!!! This is a travesty! Truly the best cup of joe in Richmond (or at least near the office) is gone. To be replaced by what? Some joint called "crossroads." The note on the door says they will serve Rostovs coffee (did I mention that I can get Rostovs coffee from Rostoves - 4 blocks away) and Maggie Moo's ice cream (15 blocks away) ... Sheesh. Not to mention that they just painted the outside this hideous orange/yellow color. Oh, what to do? World Cup, why have you abandoned us?

I'm depressed... I think I'll get some coffee.

get ready...

Something big is coming... and soon...

arg...

so, I didn't learn my lesson... I tried AGAIN to convert to new blogger and set up a three column blog... just ended up looking like... uh, bad. So, I've also been playing around with wordpress... take a peek and let me know if you like this better. As for usability, wordpress is working pretty nicely. I don't know... what do you think:
thetwocentcrockpot.wordpress.com

new blogger is annyoing...

For the second time I have attempted to migrate from classic blogger to new blogger and have, again, returned to classic. In the end, new blogger is just to hard to tweek the way I want to... which is sad because I really want to give the crockpot a facelift and clean up the side navigation a bit... I might just have move the crockpot to wordpress... who knows... sheesh

please excuse the mess...

Ok, I am in the process of trying to convert my blog into a three column blog in order to pack it full of twocent goodness... so, it may take some time, but I think it'll look and function much better when we're finished. Until then, please excuse the mess...

three thoughts...

So, I was reading the Gospel according to John this afternoon and was struck by three things in John 1:43-45

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

First - Jesus made a decision.

If ever there was a lesson that Christians needed to learn, this is one of them... Make a decision. Time and time again I meet Christians who love Jesus, who pray, who seek to glorify God, and who just can't make decisions. Now, I am not saying that one should flippantly make decisions, especially major life decisions, but at the end of the day you have to make the call. So, pray, submit you plans to God and to people you trusts, and for goodness sake make a decision.

Second - Jesus found Philip.

In some ways this relates to what I just mentioned. See, Jesus' decision to go to Galilee was not arbitrary... instead, he was on a mission that involved finding a very specific person. And guess what, Jesus found him.

Third - Philip got it wrong.

We always do this... Jesus does something and we try to take credit for it. Clearly Jesus found Philip. However, moments after this encounter we see 'ole Phil running to tell his friend Nate about what had just happened and he says, "We have found..." Sorry Phil, Jesus found you. That's just the way it is.

So, the take-away... Make a decision, fulfill your mission, and stop taking credit for Jesus' work.

time to laugh...

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery... so, what does that make impersonation?

I don't know, but this is FUNNY!

i like checking the mail...

I really like to check the mail. I think it is the anticipation that something really good or surprising might show up. Maybe a letter from a friend, a gift, a check, or a magazine. Now, I know that there are lots of un-fun things that come in the mail too, like bills, but I am willing to deal with the weeks and weeks of bills for days like today...

I wasn't able to check the mail yesterday. So, this morning I took a peak in the mailbox on my way to the car. Much to my surprise there was a package from the Westminster Bookstore. I was surprised, as I didn't remember ordering anything. I thought that Jenn might have bought something, but I assume she would have told me. So, after a brief debate in my head I decided to open it. Then, with great joy in my heart I saw a book that I had been eyeing for a couple weeks, Edmund Clowney's, "How Jesus Transforms the Ten Commandments."

Honestly, if I had a list of books I wanted to get right now, that one is in the top three. But no one knew that... I haven't so much as mentioned the book to anyone. Inside was a letter from the Westminster Bookstore. They were thanking me for my support of the Westminster Bookstore via their blog partnership program. WOW!!!! THANKS WTS!!!!

Now, let me say that the book was a great gift and I appreciate it tremendously. However, gift or no gift my book links have and will always take you to the Westminster Bookstore. The fact of the matter is their prices are always the best, they have flat rate $5 shipping, and dang it, I want to go to school there... So, there you have it.

Again, Westminster Bookstore, thanks for the book... it's just what I wanted... and you can bet that there will be a post coming soon with my two cents on it. Thanks.

lessons from turducken...

Ok, first, what (not who) is "turducken?"

Well, as the name implies, it is a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey and then cooked.

So, what brilliant individual came up with this, I have no idea. But I was thinking today that I'd like a truducken of my own. See, there are three things that I would really like to see all stuffed together into this life I live.

First I'd like to start with the outer shell (the turkey) with a job in vocational ministry that provides an adequate and stable income. I'd then like to stuff this job with moving my family into the fan (the duck). Finally, inside all of this I'd like to stuff finishing my graduate studies (the chicken).

Now, each of these things might be fine on their own (much like turkey, duck, and chicken) but, much like the inventor of the turducken, I get a feeling that having all three stuffed together might be even better.

When I look at my life right now, I get the feeling that my turducken might be impossible. But, then again, I am sure that the truducken inventor might have had similar feelings. I'm also sure he had some doubters on the outside.

So, what to do? I don't know... but I am getting hungry.

To Robert and Erin...

Robert and Erin,

Never have I met
two people like you
and rarely have I cared
so much as I do.

There are few who have faced
the trials you’ve seen;
thieves, moths, and vandals
and death’s vicious sting.

In all you have faced,
many have watched so amazed
as your hope in the Christ
shines bright through the haze.

And truly that’s why
I love you so much,
for I see in your lives
how to hope and to trust.

To hope in a King
who sits on his throne.
To trust in a God
whose love can be know.

You’re more than great teachers
mother, father, or friends,
you are lovers of Jesus
from beginning to the end.

My prayers through these months,
“God’s glory you’d declare,
from generation to generation,
to Owen your heir.”

This prayer has been answered
and in glory he rests,
before our great King,
so happy, so blessed.

With this joy we still mourn
and Owen we miss.
There is not much in life
that will be harder than this

But our hope is in Jesus
who conquered the grave.
Death is no match
for this king who can save.

It is he who will hold you
and he who will see
that through this great challenge
victorious you’ll be.

And Owen’s short life
will not be lost over time.
Instead it will declare
God’s gospel divine.

Owen will speak
of the God who does care,
of the God who did make him,
and the God who hears prayers.

Owen will speak
of Jesus the king
to a world that is dying
and must hear this one thing.

But how shall he speak
and how will he tell?
It will be through you
and the life that you share.

Owen was well born
and a warrior most true.
He gets that from his parents
they’re pretty tough too.

I close with this thought,
I learned it from you.
To God be the glory
In all that we do.

For from Him and through him
and to him is all.
To him be the glory
and joy for us all.

============

You are our dearest friends and Jennifer and I truly love you.

Owen Greene - Well Born; Warrior...

The following is the email I sent to my friends and family tonight. I have no other words:

Friends and Family,

I really don't know how to do this and I know that a phone call is so much more appropriate, however, I don't feel like I can muster the energy or heart to do it. So, please excuse the medium.

Today was a joyous and sorrowful day. Owen Greene was born this morning. Things looked promising early on as he was able to breathe on his own. Robert and Erin had the opportunity to spend a few moments with him before he was rushed to the NICU. Throughout the day his condition grew worse and worse. In the end Robert was allowed to hold his son at which time Owen's heart beat faded. As my mother so beautifully put it, "he passed from his earthly fathers arms into his heavenly fathers." Now we join the Greene's in mourning.

I thank you for all your prayers and the many people you have shared this story with. Please continue to pray for Robert and Erin as they walk through this dark valley. If you wish to share a word of encouragement or thoughts of condolence, please visit Robert's blog and click on "leave a comment." I believe that it would mean a lot to them to hear from the many strangers who have held them close in their hearts all these months.

Again, thank you.
_ryan

owen greene update II...

As of 3:30 p.m. Owen's condition has moved to unstable. He is retaining CO2 which means his blood/gas levels are not good. Please pray.

I'll continue to post as new info becomes available.

owen greene update...

The following information is what we know at this point:

This morning Owen Greene was delivered successfully via C-section. Upon delivery he was breathing on his own, kicking, crying, and weighed in at just over four pounds. He came out a little blue but mostly pink. Robert and Erin were able to hold him and spend a little time with him before he was taken to the NICU (newborn intensive care unit) for examination. While in the NICU he was intibated (given assistance with his breathing) and his condition is regarded as stable.

Erin and Robert are together in the hospital room and are doing well.

Please remember that we must continue to pray because we are not out of the fight yet. There are many miracles to fight for. Please continue to pray for the healing for his heart, kidneys, and bladder. While we pray, let us rejoice in the victories of this morning and continue this journey in faith.

PRAY FOR OWEN...

My friends, Robert and Erin, of whom I have written you before, have a really big day tomorrow. Their son, Owen, is scheduled to be delivered by c-section at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Short of a miracle from God, it is likely that Owen will not live very long. The Greene’s have had a long a difficult journey that has led to tomorrow. In this journey they have become very confident in God’s goodness and sovereignty. Robert and Erin have expressed that they feel prepared in their hearts for whatever may happen. They believe that much of this is due to the many people who have prayed for them and this situation. At this time, however, they ask that everyone spend their times of prayer for them directed in asking Jesus for the miraculous healing of Owen. They are aware of the situation and are confident that, if the worst were to happen, God is in control and will be gracious with them. With this peace in their hearts they ask that less prayers be offered for them and that many would be offered for Owen’s miraculous healing.

For all the readers of thetwocentcrockpot, I am asking that you fast breakfast (skip the meal and pray) tomorrow morning and join me in praying to the King of all creation for Owen. I believe that God is well able to confound the world by delivering Owen in perfect health.

Here is Robert’s blog where you can get the latest update:
www.cultivatethesoul.com/blog/

2 Corinthians 1:9 - Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

Solo Deo Gloria
_ryan

thanks chris...

I received this from my friend Chris in an email.

I took this from a biographical sketch on Thomas Hooker. A key puritan in the US... look at his perspective in death...

In 1647, Hooker became ill during an epidemic that was spreading across the country. On his deathbed, he communicated to Thomas Goodwin that his "peace was made in heaven and had continued for thirty years without alteration." A close friend said to him just before he died, "You are going to receive the reward of all your labors." Hooker responded, "Brother, I am going to receive mercy."

Common to all men, upon death, we need mercy above all things... for the best we have to give falls gravely short of what is required.

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
Acts 17:30-31

We will be judged according to the standard of Jesus... Of this standard we all fall short, even Mr. Hooker. Thankfully, God has granted that through faith in Jesus' atoning death we are actually credited with his (Jesus') perfect life.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26

I thank God that he is "just" AND the "justifier." As the hymnst say, "my hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name."

VT...

Five days have passed since the shooting at Virginia Tech. It has been a long a draining five days. I can only assume that it has been much longer and much more draining for those closer to the situation.

At times like this I wish I had something profound to write... but words still fail me. I find that all I have done and all I can do is simply turn my heart toward Jesus and ask him to be King.

For those who might be interested, several of my fellow campus ministers went to Blacksburg on Tuesday. They simply went with the desire to be there for the students in whatever way they could. This link will take you to a record of their thoughts and observations.

Finally, I just read VT's policy for students regarding the remainder of the semester. I must say that the administration of VT should be praised for their tireless efforts in dealing with a situation that falls into the category of "worst case unimaginable." Even in reading something as mundane as a "policy" you can sense the genuine concern of the administration for their students.

team greene...

Please keep my friends, the Greene's, in your prayers over the next couple weeks. Their son, Owen, is scheduled for delivery on the 24th (several weeks earlier than anticipated). For those who don't know the seriousness of this, please check out Robert's blog. He'll fill you in on all the details.

In fact, do me a favor and pray right now... I know that I have a tendency to forget all the things people ask me to pray about... so, just stop reading, close your eyes, and petition the King of Kings to rule over his creation and bring perfect health to young Owen Greene (aka, "the next handsome Greene man").

Thanks.

no email friday...

Here is a fun new video about one company that banned email once a week... the result... people actually had to talk to one another. I laughed out loud a couple times. Like when the guy realized the person he emailed with, whom he thought was across the country, was actually across the hall... HA!

What a crazy world in which we live... said the man on his blog...

campus ministry...

It was a strange thing today when I discovered something that I knew would eventually happen, has in fact, happened.

Harvard has a full time, endowed, humanist campus minister. He serves along side many religious ministers in Harvard's Chaplaincy.

There are so many things that I don't understand about this, and yet, I am in no way surprised. Like I said, I figured this sort of thing would eventually happen, but it seems strange when it does. I mean, surely the next step is the atheist campus minister... Now, that would make for an interesting chaplaincy meeting.

Sheesh...

in the news...

I read a really good (and quite well written) article on the urban development of Richmond and the impact it is having on low (and even middle-class) residents in the city. It has some really interesting history lessons and good insight and perspectives on what is going on.

There was also a great sidebar story that shows another interesting perspective on all the re-development going on.